Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

What Is It?

Lupus is thought to develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. The immune system attacks many different parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidney, nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves), blood, heart, lungs, digestive system and eyes, causing inflammation and tissue damage.

Abnormal antibodies develop (called autoantibodies) that can attach themselves to proteins in the body forming abnormal molecules called immune complexes which can trigger additional inflammation and injury when they are deposited in various organs and tissues.